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Award-Winning Elementary Math Tutors
Certified Tutor
2+ years
Getting multiplication facts, place value, and basic fractions right early on makes everything that comes later in math dramatically easier. Anna takes a patient, step-by-step approach to building number sense — breaking problems into smaller pieces so younger students can see the logic behind each ...
University
Bachelor's

Certified Tutor
2+ years
Aqsa
Aqsa turns early math concepts like place value, basic multiplication, and fractions into something tangible by using everyday examples kids can actually picture. Her experience coaching and mentoring younger learners means she knows how to keep sessions patient and encouraging while still pushing t...
University of Central Florida
Bachelor's (in progress)
Certified Tutor
Molly
Place value, regrouping, and early fractions click faster when a tutor knows exactly where young learners tend to get stuck. Molly has spent three years teaching math intervention in 2nd through 4th grade classrooms, so she can pinpoint a gap in number sense and address it before it snowballs. Rated...
Northwestern University
Master of Science in Education
Columbia University in the City of New York
Bachelor in Arts, History
Certified Tutor
Building number sense early changes everything about how a student experiences math later on. Katie teaches elementary concepts like place value, basic fractions, and multi-digit multiplication in ways that emphasize understanding over rote memorization — using visual models and real-world examples ...
University of Notre Dame
Bachelor in Arts
Certified Tutor
Asta
Building number sense early — understanding place value, basic fractions, and the logic behind multiplication — shapes how a student thinks about math for years. Asta's experience working with younger learners across different educational systems in both Hong Kong and the U.S. gives her a practical ...
University of Chicago
Bachelor in Arts in Political Science
Certified Tutor
9+ years
Mariam
Getting multiplication facts, place value, and basic fractions right at this stage matters more than most people realize — these are the building blocks everything else sits on. Mariam makes these early concepts tangible and intuitive, using visual strategies and real-world examples that stick. Her ...
Vanderbilt University
Bachelor of Science, Neuroscience
Certified Tutor
10+ years
Edris
Building number sense early — understanding place value, fractions as quantities rather than symbols, and the logic behind multi-digit multiplication — pays off for years. Edris brings the structured thinking of a Boston College math graduate to elementary concepts, making sure young learners develo...
Boston College
Bachelors, Economics, Mathematics and Biology Minor
Certified Tutor
10+ years
Deirdre
Building number sense early — through place value, basic fractions, and multi-digit operations — sets up everything that comes later in math. Deirdre uses patient, structured explanations and plenty of hands-on examples to make these foundational concepts stick. Her experience across multiple subjec...
Harvard University
Bachelors, History and Science, Pre-Medical Studies
Harvard University
BA in History of Science
Certified Tutor
10+ years
Rushi
Getting multiplication tables, fractions, and place value right at this stage sets up everything that comes later in math. Rushi approaches elementary math by building number sense through patterns and visual reasoning, not just repetition. His patience and experience teaching his younger brother gi...
Northwestern University
Current Undergrad, Industrial Engineering
Certified Tutor
13+ years
Getting multiplication tables and long division to click often comes down to finding the right way to frame the problem for a particular kid. Noah adjusts his explanations on the fly, using visual models or real-world scenarios like cooking measurements to make arithmetic operations concrete and int...
University of Pennsylvania
Bachelor in Arts
Top 20 Math Subjects
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Matthew
Arithmetic Tutor • +29 Subjects
I am a recent graduate of Harvard College. I've been working with middle school and high school age children for the past several years and feel very comfortable communicating with students that age. I was a history major in college, but I'd be happy to help out with middle school and early high school math, as well as any help needed with writing or humanities-related courses. Also available for standardized test prep help! Hobbies: art, sports, movies, books, reading, music, writing
Natalie
Pre-Algebra Tutor • +42 Subjects
I'm a second-year student at Rice University majoring in Biochemistry and Cell Biology as well as in English. My unusual double major is a result of my inability to choose a favorite subject--I love literature and science! This love of learning translates naturally to my role as a tutor. Because I love learning, I look for ways to transmit my passions to others by teaching them. Another reason I enjoy tutoring lies in my own experience as a student. I had to work very hard for the grades it took to get to college, so I understand the problems of the struggling student, and I try my best to relate the methods I personally used to overcome those obstacles. Hobbies: reading, writing, books, music, yoga, art
Catherine
Pre-Algebra Tutor • +42 Subjects
I am a graduate student in the humanities who is lucky enough to teach, read, and write for a living. I am passionately committed to educational access and helping young people reach their full potential. It has been my privilege to work with dozens of bright and talented students over the years, ranging from fifth grade to university level. I especially enjoy helping students with test prep and am qualified to teach all sections of the SAT and GRE, including math. I would also love to tutor in history, literature, and writing. Hobbies: reading, cooking, music, running, art, travel, books, writing
Claire
Arithmetic Tutor • +47 Subjects
I am an experienced and dynamic language instructor with a background in literature, history, and math. I have taught students in Spanish, French, and English as a Second-Language, using highly visual and interactive techniques to engage students in the fun and challenge of learning a language. I have lived in Spain, France, and Chile, as well as various parts of the United States, so I bring cultural insight into each lesson. Hobbies: art, books, writing, reading, music
Frankie
College Algebra Tutor • +32 Subjects
I'm Frankie! I have recently earned degrees in both Math and Physics from Cornell University. Prior to joining Varsity Tutors, I worked as both a Math Course Assistant and as an SAT Math Tutor. In addition to working with students, I'm also currently conducting Applied Math Research for the National Science Foundation at Pennsylvania State University. During my years of High School, I was running for my Cross Country team and was digging for my State Champion Volleyball team. Also, I am an amateur juggler and an avid chess player. Hobbies: running, art, books, writing, reading, music
Rebecca
Pre-Algebra Tutor • +48 Subjects
I am a graduate of Northwestern University where I received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Religious Studies. I am currently pursuing a masters degree in social work at the University of Chicago's School of Social Service Administration. I am passionate about tutoring because I want everyone to be able to perform academically at their highest possible level. I also think it is important that learning is not just for one assignment or one test, but rather that it sticks with you to build a solid foundation of knowledge and confidence that you can carry forward. My favorite subjects to tutor include English, SAT test preparation, math, and psychology. My approach to tutoring is to meet the student where they're at and go from there. I find that this way we can build a productive tutoring relationship where I can help individualize learning to each person's particular learning style. Outside of academic interests, I enjoy cooking, being with friends and family, traveling the world, and looking as ridiculous as possible doing Zumba.
Matthew
AP Calculus AB Tutor • +26 Subjects
I am a rising Sophomore at Princeton University. I am majoring in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, most likely with a minor in Computer Science. During my Junior and Senior years of High School, I tutored a few students on a regular basis. I specialize in Math and Science. More specifically, my strongest subjects are Algebra 1/2/3, Geometry, Trigonometry and ACT Science. I have always found the maths and sciences to be both the most interesting subjects, but also the most applicable to real world problems - this is why I chose to major in what I did. Because I usually tutor in Math, I often tutor in the style of showing how to do a few problems step by step, and then having the student try a few more difficult problems, asking questions along the way. I do this because in my experience, this is the best way to learn and prepare for Math related exams. Outside of academics I play Viola, enjoy running and exercising to stay healthy, and listening to all kinds of music.
Laura
College Algebra Tutor • +37 Subjects
I am a graduate of Princeton University, class of 2014. I received my Bachelor of Arts in History with a focus on recent American economic history. I was a pre-med, molecular biology major for my first two years at Princeton, and while I ended up deciding not to pursue a career in the sciences, I took many science classes in high school (AP) and in college, and still enjoy these subjects. Since graduating from Princeton, I have moved to Manhattan where I have started a job as an analyst at a private equity firm. I tutored professionally in Princeton for three years, and am excited to continue working with students as a Varsity Tutors tutor. I have experience tutoring elementary school math, Algebra, Algebra II/Pre-calc, English literature, writing (esp. essay editing), Biology (including AP), Chemistry (including accelerated and AP), SAT, and French (through French III). My own educational experience has had a formative impact on my style as a tutor. I attended a Montessori school from pre-school through 8th grade, and was heavily influenced by the focus on independent learning, discovery, and exploration as a way to develop a more thorough and better understanding of academic subjects. I am passionate about making sure that students enjoy what they are learning, and I try to individualize tutor sessions to match the specific needs of each student. Both my parents are teachers (one a violin teacher and another a professor), which has also influenced my ability and desire to help students learn.
Jason
College Algebra Tutor • +50 Subjects
I'm a fourth year medical student at the University of Pennsylvania who is applying to pediatrics residency programs. I graduated in 2006 from Yale University with a bachelors degree in History. I subsequently completed a post-baccalaureate program at Bryn Mawr College to complete the premedical course work and matriculated into Penn's medical school. I took a year off from medical school between my third and fourth year to get a masters degree in education focusing on medical education but also learning a tremendous amount about K-12 education as well. Hobbies: art, outdoors, books, writing, reading, music
Jean
Pre-Algebra Tutor • +57 Subjects
I am a fourth year student at Harvard Medical School, and will start working as a pediatrician in July of 2016. However, if I had not decided to become a physician, I would have strongly considered becoming a teacher. Teaching is one of the most enjoyable activities I do, and I have taught in some capacity every year for the past ten years. I have taught subjects ranging from English to algebra, from physics to dance, and have taught students ranging in age from toddlers to adults. I have also provided advice on application essays, resumes, and interview strategies for Harvard College students applying to highly competitive scholarships. Each of these experiences has taught me how to communicate concepts in clear and engaging ways. For instance, while tutoring adolescents enrolled in the Boston-based Artists for Humanity program, I would often teach students whom I had never worked with before, and thus became adept at quickly discovering and implementing the strategies that worked best for a particular student (e.g., visual/tactile examples, analogies, and breaking down complex problems into smaller parts). While tutoring a janitorial staff member in preparation for the mathematics portion of her GED high school equivalency exam, I learned how to quickly identify the highest yield topics for a standardized exam and focus our efforts on those. Each of these experiences has been incredibly rewarding, and has inspired me to teach in some capacity throughout my career as a doctor.
Top 20 Subjects
Frequently Asked Questions
Procedural understanding means knowing the steps to solve a problem (like the algorithm for long division), while conceptual understanding means knowing *why* those steps work. Many elementary students can follow steps but struggle when problems look different or when they need to apply skills in new situations. A tutor helps bridge this gap by using visual models, manipulatives, and real-world examples to show students the reasoning behind the math—so they can tackle unfamiliar problems with confidence rather than just memorizing rules.
Word problems require students to translate language into mathematical operations, identify what information matters, and decide which strategy to use—multiple layers of thinking at once. Many students focus on finding numbers and plugging them into operations without understanding the problem's structure. Tutors help by teaching students to break problems into manageable steps: reading carefully, visualizing the situation (with drawings or diagrams), identifying the question being asked, and then choosing an appropriate strategy. This systematic approach builds confidence and helps students see word problems as solvable puzzles rather than confusing text.
Showing work isn't just about getting credit on tests—it's a thinking tool that helps students catch their own mistakes and explains their reasoning to others. Many elementary students rush through problems or rely on mental math without recording steps, which makes it hard to find errors or learn from them. Tutors model how to write out work clearly, explain why each step matters, and use "showing work" as a problem-solving strategy rather than a chore. When students see that organized work actually helps them solve harder problems, they're more motivated to develop this habit.
Math anxiety—the worry or fear that builds around math—can actually interfere with memory and problem-solving ability, creating a cycle where anxious students perform worse and become more anxious. This often starts when students feel rushed, don't understand concepts, or internalize the belief that they're "not a math person." Tutors create low-pressure environments where mistakes are learning opportunities, celebrate effort and progress, and help students experience success with manageable challenges. Over time, this rebuilds confidence and helps students see themselves as capable mathematicians.
Elementary math can feel like disconnected topics—addition, fractions, measurement, geometry—when students only learn procedures in isolation. Strong tutors help students recognize that multiplication is repeated addition, that fractions are parts of a whole (just like division), and that area and multiplication are connected. By drawing these connections explicitly and using consistent visual models across topics, tutors help students build a coherent understanding of math rather than a collection of separate tricks. This deeper web of connections makes new topics easier to learn and helps students retain skills longer.
Elementary math programs vary significantly—some emphasize traditional algorithms, others use "new math" or Singapore Math approaches, and schools may use different textbooks with different visual models and terminology. A good tutor learns how your child's school teaches math and reinforces those same methods and language, so there's consistency between tutoring and classroom instruction. This alignment prevents confusion and helps students feel confident using what they've learned in tutoring when they return to class. Tutors can also bridge gaps if a student missed key concepts or struggled with their school's particular approach.
Yes—tutors personalize instruction to meet students where they are. For struggling students, tutors slow down, use concrete models and manipulatives to build foundational understanding, and break skills into smaller steps. For advanced students, tutors introduce deeper problem-solving, challenge them with multi-step or open-ended problems, and explore enrichment topics that extend beyond grade-level curriculum. In both cases, the goal is helping students develop mathematical thinking and confidence, not just moving through material faster or slower.
Multi-step problems require students to plan a sequence of operations, keep track of intermediate results, and stay organized—skills that don't develop automatically. Tutors teach explicit strategies like underlining important information, drawing diagrams to visualize the problem, breaking it into smaller questions ("What do I need to find first?"), and checking each step before moving forward. They also help students choose appropriate tools—mental math for simple steps, written calculations for complex ones—so students feel in control rather than lost in a maze of numbers.
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